Sofa-bed air mattress combination

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a sofa-bed combination, having an inflatable air mattress, rather than a foam or spring mattress. A bed base would pull out from beneath the frame of the couch. Contained on or within the bed base would be an inflatable bladder forming a mattress. Contained within an arm of the sofa would be an inflatable bladder forming an air mattress. The sofa-bed features an electric air pump, which would rapidly inflate and deflate the mattress for use or stowage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/812,783, filed Apr. 17, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to multi-purpose furniture, and in particular to a sofa-bed air mattress combination. To save space in small apartments, various configurations of multi-purpose furniture have long been in use that can serve as a sofa by day, and as a bed by night. One such configuration folds a mattress into itself beneath seating cushions. The mattress and frame, however, are massive and heavy, taking up space within the design and adding substantial weight. The cross members necessary to support the mattress are also uncomfortable for the user. Replacing the conventional mattress with an air mattress that is stowed in arm of the sofa would take up much less space, and add less weight to the design. Particularly for overnight guests, this would provide a comfort advantage over a standard pull-out bed, and a convenience and practicality advantage over conventional mattresses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a sofa-bed combination, having an inflatable air mattress, rather than a foam or spring mattress. A bed base would pull out from beneath the frame of the sofa. Contained within an arm of the sofa would be an inflatable bladder forming an air mattress. The sofa-bed features an electric air pump, which would rapidly inflate and deflate the mattress for use or stowage.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sofa 10, the storage compartment 10A, the arms 10B, and the air mattress 11.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sofa 10, the storage compartment 10A, and the electric air pump 12.

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of a portion of the first exemplary embodiment with a concealed door opened, displaying the sofa 10, the storage compartment 10A, the air mattress 11, and the concealed door 13.

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of a portion of the first exemplary embodiment a concealed door opened, displaying the sofa 10, the electric air pump 12, and the concealed door 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a sofa-bed combination, having an inflatable air mattress, rather than a foam or spring mattress. An air mattress 11 is pulled out from one of the arms of the sofa 10. The base of the sofa 10 flattens to provide a solid bed base for the air mattress 11. The air mattress 11 features a connection valve. One of the two arms of the sofa features an electric air pump 12, which would rapidly inflate and deflate the air mattress 11 for use or stowage. The electric air pump 12 features a three-way switch, which can be used to select inflation or deflation, or shut off the electric air pump 12. The power supply for the electric air pump 12 would preferably be standard household current, accessed via a wire connected to a grounded wall outlet.

In the first exemplary embodiment, as illustrated by FIGS. 1-4, the air mattress 11 is folded and stored within one of the two arms 10B of the sofa 10 within a storage compartment 10A, and is accessible via a concealed door 13. The electric air pump 12 is removably or fixedly mounted within one of the storage compartments 10A. The electric air pump 12 may be stored opposite the air mattress 11, or may be stored together within the same storage compartment 10A, or the electric air pump 12 may be integral to the air mattress 11. The air mattress 11 may be entirely separate, or may be semi-permanently affixed to the sofa 10, to allow replacement in case of damage; example fasteners include elastic cordage, strips of hook and loop fastener, snaps, etc. The user may also upgrade or otherwise change the air mattress 11 used in conjunction with the sofa 10 to meet their needs.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user removes the cushions from the sofa 10, unfolds the bed base, and then opens both concealed doors 13 found in both arms of the sofa 10. The user removes the air mattress 11 from one of the arms of the sofa 10, partially unfolds the air mattress 11 across the bed base, then connects the air mattress 11 to the electric air pump 12. The user then turns the three-way switch on the electric air pump 12 to select inflation.

As the air mattress 11 inflates, the increasing size and air pressure of the air mattress 11 will cause the air mattress 11 to fully unfold across the bed base of the sofa 10, and will be supported by the bed base. When the air mattress 11 is fully inflated, the user shuts off the electric air pump 12 using the three-way switch, closes the connection valve, and disconnects the air mattress 11 from the electric air pump 12. The electric pump 12 can then be stowed in one of the arms of the sofa 10. To restore the sofa-10 to its original configuration, the user connects the air mattress 11 to the electric air pump 12, opens the connection valve, and uses the three-way switch to select deflation. During the course of deflation, the user gradually folds up the air mattress 11. When the air mattress 11 is fully deflated, the user shuts off the electric air pump 12 using the three-way switch, disconnects the air mattress 11, stows the air mattress 11 in one of the arms of the sofa 10, closes both concealed doors 13, and replaces the cushions on the sofa 10.

The frame of the sofa 10 and the concealed doors 13 would preferably be manufactured from durable, rigid materials such as steel, aluminum, and wood. The padding of the sofa 10 and the concealed doors 13 would preferably be manufactured from foam rubber and cotton batting, covered with flexible upholstery materials that are easily cleaned, such as wool, cotton, a cotton-rayon blend, a cotton-polyester blend, or leather. The air mattress 11 would preferably be manufactured from a durable, flexible material capable of inflation, such as plastic or rubber. Components and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A sofa and air mattress combination comprising: (a) a sofa; (b) said sofa having a pair of arms; (c) at least one of said arms having one of a plurality of storage compartments concealed therein; (d) each of said plurality of storage compartments having a concealed door; (e) an air mattress; (f) said air mattress being of such size that said air mattress is capable of being stored within one of said plurality of storage compartments when not inflated; whereby said air mattress may be stored conveniently within said sofa in a manner ready for immediate use.
 2. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 1 further comprising an air pump.
 3. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of storage compartments is two in number, and wherein both of said pair of arms has one of said plurality of storage compartments concealed therein.
 4. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 2 wherein said plurality of storage compartments is two in number, and wherein both of said pair of arms has one of said plurality of storage compartments concealed therein.
 5. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 4 wherein said air pump is affixed to said sofa within one of said plurality of storage compartments.
 6. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 3 wherein said plurality of storage compartments is two in number, and wherein both of said pair of arms has one of said plurality of storage compartments concealed therein.
 7. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 6 wherein said air pump is affixed to said sofa within one of said plurality of storage compartments.
 8. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 2 wherein said air pump is affixed to said sofa within one of said plurality of storage compartments.
 9. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 1 wherein said air mattress is semi-permanently affixed to said sofa.
 10. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 2 wherein said air mattress is semi-permanently affixed to said sofa.
 11. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 3 wherein said air mattress is semi-permanently affixed to said sofa.
 12. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 4 wherein said air mattress is semi-permanently affixed to said sofa.
 13. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 5 wherein said air mattress is semi-permanently affixed to said sofa.
 14. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 6 wherein said air mattress is semi-permanently affixed to said sofa.
 15. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 7 wherein said air mattress is semi-permanently affixed to said sofa.
 16. The sofa and air mattress combination of claim 8 wherein said air mattress is semi-permanently affixed to said sofa. 